Seventeen million. That’s how many Clios Renault has been sold since the supermini launched in 1990. It’s by far the most popular French car ever made, with more than triple the volume of the Citroën 2CV despite the latter’s 42-year run.
The subcompact hatchback with the diamond logo has been around for only 35 years, spanning five successful generations. Although the current car is getting on in years, it remains a hot commodity. So far in 2025, it’s the best-selling car in Europe.
But with the B segment being so competitive, Renault doesn’t want to let its six-year-old model linger much longer, despite a significant facelift a couple of years ago. For 2026, the Clio is getting a glow-up with a fresh look.
The redesigned exterior gives off big-car vibes while retaining traditional elements such as the “hidden” rear door handles integrated into the C-pillars. The familiar C-shaped lighting motif now appears as striking LED daytime running lights positioned below the main headlights.
Photo by: Renault
The grille and lower air intake feature dozens of tiny rhombuses, just in case the Renault badge wasn’t obvious enough. Pointed headlights add to the sharper, more aggressive look, practically begging for the return of the Clio RS hot hatch. Pictured here is the range-topping, all-show-without-extra-go Esprit Alpine, distinguished by its intricately designed 18-inch wheels. The new generation also appears to have a slightly more sloped roofline ending with a chunky spoiler that wouldn’t look out of place on a Renaultsport version.
At the back, Renault spices things up with split taillights that create the impression of a larger car. Actually, it’s not just a visual trick. The new Clio is indeed bigger, stretching to 4,116 millimeters (162 inches) long and 1,768 millimeters (69.6 inches) wide. The wheelbase has been extended slightly to 2,591 millimeters (102 inches), while height remains nearly unchanged at 1,451 millimeters (57.1 inches). Wider tracks further contribute to its more imposing stance.
Inside, the cabin draws inspiration from the fully electric Renault 5, featuring a dual-screen setup, while retaining physical buttons. However, the Clio’s old rotary knobs are gone in the name of minimalism (or cost-cutting?) Still, a dedicated row of climate controls sits below the central air vents, so not everything has migrated into the screen. The vertical infotainment of the previous generation is gone, thankfully.
Photo by: Renault
Higher trims get a pair of 10.1-inch displays paired with a steering wheel borrowed from larger, pricier models. Despite being a small car, the Clio seats five and offers up to 391 liters (13.8 cubic feet) of cargo space, depending on the powertrain, because the hybrid bits take up more space. The loading sill has been lowered by 40 millimeters (1.5 inches), making it easier to maneuver luggage.
Additional storage is scattered around the cabin, including a closed compartment in the center console. Up front, Renault has fitted two USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad, while the rear gets a 12V socket. The bulky automatic gear lever between the seats is gone, replaced by a column shifter. The manual gearbox survives another generation for cheaper models. Although Renault hasn’t shown it yet, we assume one of the cupholders is replaced by the stick.
As expected, there’s no diesel. The 1.5-liter dCi is history, replaced by a full-hybrid setup. The E-Tech system uses a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder running on the Atkinson cycle, paired with two electric motors for a combined 160 horsepower, or 15 hp more than before. Torque is up by 22 Newton-meters (16 pound-feet) to 170 Nm (125 lb-ft), cutting the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint to 8.3 seconds, a full second quicker.
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Source: Renault
Renault estimates the Clio will drive in EV mode up to 80 percent of the time in cities and suburbs. With a full tank and the 1.4-kWh battery charged, range is pegged at 621 miles (1,000 kilometers). Combined-cycle fuel economy is as low as 3.9 liters/100 km (60 mpg). That’s 40 percent less than an equivalent non-hybrid engine and much better than the old hybrid’s 4.2 liters (56 mpg).
The hybrid punch is transferred to the road via a multimodal gearbox with two ratios for the main electric motor and another four for the gas engine. Renault claims there are 15 combinations possible between electric and combustion, echoing the previous-generation hybrid. There’s no clutch because the car always starts in electric mode. A reverse gear is also missing since the electric motor is used to go backwards.
Entry-level models will use a smaller, non-electrified turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder with 115 hp and 190 Nm (140 lb-ft), paired with either a manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. Without specifying the gearbox, Renault says it manages 0-62 mph in 10.1 seconds.
The Clio will also be offered with a 1.2-liter Eco-G engine running on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), rated at 120 hp and 200 Nm (148 lb-ft). Available exclusively with the dual-clutch automatic, it matches the gasoline model’s sprint time.
Renault’s commitment to small cars remains strong. The new Clio joins the fully electric 4 and 5, with an even smaller Twingo arriving next year as the entry-level EV.
